Ilham Aliyev: The XXI century should become the century of development of the Turkic world

SHUSHA, Azerbaijan — President Ilham Aliyev warmly greeted the participants of the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States, emphasizing the significance of the gathering in the historic city of Shusha. "I greet you all from the bottom of my heart," Aliyev said. "Welcome to Azerbaijan, to Karabakh."

The summit, themed "Building a Sustainable Future through Transport Links and Combating Climate Change," highlighted Azerbaijan's dedication to fostering closer ties within the Turkic world. Aliyev expressed gratitude for the support of his initiative to hold this annual informal summit and for the attendees' acceptance of the invitation to Shusha.

"Azerbaijan has always strived for the close unification of the Turkic world, the growth of its political, economic, and military power, and its transformation into a center of power in the global arena," Aliyev stated. He emphasized that the Organization of Turkic States should become a global power hub, citing the region's extensive geographical area, positive demographic dynamics, military potential, rich natural resources, and modern infrastructure.

The choice of Shusha for the summit held symbolic significance, following Azerbaijan's restoration of its territorial integrity. Aliyev recounted the city's history, from its occupation by Armenia in 1992 to its liberation in 2020 during the 44-day Patriotic War. "The occupation of Shusha was a great tragedy for the Azerbaijani people," he said. "The Azerbaijani army liberated more than 300 towns and villages, culminating in Shusha's liberation on November 8, 2020."

Aliyev highlighted Shusha's cultural importance, noting its designation as the cultural capital of Azerbaijan in 2021 and its recognition as the cultural capital of the Turkic world in 2023 and the Islamic world in 2024. The summit included the signing of the Karabakh Declaration, marking another step in Azerbaijan's close ties with Turkey and other Turkic states.

Discussing the "Great Return" program, Aliyev detailed efforts to repopulate liberated territories. "About 8,000 former internally displaced persons have returned to cities and villages in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur," he said, with plans for 20,000 more to return by the year's end.

Aliyev expressed appreciation for the support from Turkic states, highlighting visits by the Presidents of Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan to the liberated lands. He also announced Azerbaijan's financial contribution to the Organization of Turkic States' secretariat to enhance its budget and structure.

The expansion of the East-West transport corridor was underscored as a priority, with the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway's capacity increased and new ships under construction to handle growing cargo traffic. Aliyev pointed to the upcoming opening of Azerbaijan's ninth international airport in Lachin and plans to expand the Alat International Commercial Port.

He also mentioned the strategic partnership in energy, including renewable energy cooperation, and the Digital Silk Road project, aimed at establishing a fiber-optic route between Europe and Asia.

Looking ahead, Aliyev invited the summit participants to the COP29 conference in Baku, emphasizing Azerbaijan's commitment to strengthening global solidarity and consensus. He expressed confidence that the decisions made at the summit would bolster the Turkic world's unity and enhance the Organization of Turkic States' international standing.

"We cover a large geographical area," Aliyev concluded. "Our rich and ancient history, our culture, and our commitment to traditional values are our great wealth. The 21st century should become the century of development of the Turkic world."